Max Verstappen already showing Red Bull why GT3 racing was always a risk
· Yahoo Sports
Max Verstappen’s remarks about using the break to address Red Bull’s issues should be a clear warning sign for the team.
His recent comments, which suggested he might consider retiring, are particularly troubling for Red Bull. They’ve spent years building their operations around him and have made no secret of his importance within the setup.
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Others have argued that Verstappen’s criticism overlooks how changes could affect the broader team, not just his own performance.
This season, one of Verstappen’s main frustrations has been with the car itself. Laurent Mekies confirmed that Verstappen is correct in saying there is a significant gap between them and Mercedes.
To get the RB22 where Verstappen wants it, Red Bull may need to write off 2027 entirely. But reports suggest he isn’t interested in waiting until next year to see real progress.
Verstappen targeting Red Bull upgrades ahead of Nurburgring 24 Hours
After the Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen spoke to Autosport Japan about how he plans to spend the upcoming five-week break in the Formula One season.
He’s looking for specific changes to be made to the RB22 and wants them in place before the Nürburgring 24 Hours race in May.
“I’ll spend most of it with my family. And, if possible, I’d like to race on the Nordschleife (the old Nürburgring circuit). After that, of course, I’ll continue discussions with the team. Understanding the new package.”
“To do that, it’s important to understand what happened during the Japanese GP weekend. I think we had quite a few stability issues at Suzuka.”
“I want to make the car’s balance a bit more stable, understand the engine settings a bit better, and make the whole car a bit more solid. To that end, there are still many ideas I want to try for the next race. I hope to get them done before the 24-hour race.”
Red Bull worried as Max Verstappen pushes for RB22 upgrades
With Verstappen pushing for major updates to the RB22 before the Nurburgring 24 Hours, there’s a real sense that his focus may be drifting away from Red Bull this season.
This might help explain why Helmut Marko was reluctant to let Verstappen take on GT3 commitments during his time at Red Bull. The shift in priorities is starting to become more noticeable.
Changes in the GT3 calendar have given Verstappen an opening to race at Nurburgring in May, and it’s something that could turn into a bigger headache for Red Bull down the line.
With his frustrations already mounting over the new regulations and Red Bull’s direction, putting more energy into his GT3 pursuits could be a signal that he’s mentally moved on from the 2026 season before it even starts.
Verstappen has long been the centrepiece of Red Bull’s success, so any signs that he’s no longer fully invested should be a worry for them going forward, even if it is only temporary.
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